Secret Weapon - insanely cheap!

28.10.2016

I am almost afraid to review this because it is so perfect for my needs I don't want to give away my secrets!

First things first - I tried the Alesis app on iPad and it worked fine - All the inputs mapped and triggered the drum sounds no issues at all with a Roland SPD-S or even DIY Piezos BUT that is not why I got this.

I have a Eurorack and an iPad running Stroke Machine - the Alesis DM Dock was made for Eurorack triggering. It is PERFECT! I can run 12-13 triggers out of my modular and trigger the synthetic bliss that is Stroke Machine (or any iPad app for that matter). This is a bridge, a wonderful golden and diamond-encrusted bridge between analogue triggers and iPad apps or (over midi/USB) all the crazy sounds on your computer! I can't believe this hasn't taken off like a rocket to the moon with Eurorack folks! For the price I can see myself buying a back-up unit!

This is a trigger to midi converter - for under ¤100 - it is insane!

Its plastic - I keep picking it up by the top plastic and can see myself breaking the hinge one day (it'll still work fine just won't look good). The body and I/O is a harder plastic and I can see it lasting quite a long time.

If for nothing else, get one of these if you have access a modular - anything you can control with midi can be triggered by your modules! Sequences, Ableton (modular triggered track mutes/fx anyone?), iPad apps - I bet you could even trigger a DMX/midi lighting rig!

I would struggle with the cost but still get one at full price - at this price it really is the definition of a no-brainer!

Pros - Trigger-to-midi enough said! Clean audio interface for iPad I/O. Cons - Not enough modular folks have cottoned on to this yet! Once they do, the price will go up!

Good for triggering external software

29.09.2016

I got this module because I already had an Ipad in the family and was looking to have more functionalities than my old Thomann MPS200 drum module. On paper everything was great, there was the MIDI in/out slot, there were a lot of trigger inputs, most of them with stereo triggering and I wasn't planning anyway on using it's own Apple Store software. I wanted a cheaper Alesis DM10 drum module and because I had an Ipad the prices was amazing. You have to use the software in order to configure the triggers individually and once that's done, you plug it in your PC and you can trigger sounds. The apple software sounds are poor, they sound like playing any mobile app, no depth, no real feel of drumming. Some things did not work so well, the hi-hat control was not working, I got an Alesis continuous hi-hat controller but still it was not working. The three zone triggering for the ride also didn't work. There were issues of misstriggering, double triggering, no triggering combinations but I play rock/metal and there are a lot of sounds to be prcocessed very fast. I ultimately ended buying a second-hand Alesis Dm10 module and I can say it's a few classes above the DM Dock: everything works, triggering is excellent, more configuration possibilites, but the price is 10 times higher. If you're looking for a low budget external triggering for a lot of inputs, then this is the best choice. Be aware though of it's limitations.

2.4 GHz Wireless System Set with transmitter and receiver - both with battery and without power supply to operate, Built-in, rechargeable lithium battery, Range without obstacles: up to approx. 30 m, Frequency range 20 - 20,000 Hz, Latency: <6...